Risk checks for cattle disease BJD nearly done

Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh says risk assessments of about 160 properties, which may be at risk of an outbreak of bovine Johne's disease (BJD), are almost complete.

A property south of Rockhampton in central Queensland was quarantined last week after cattle tested positive for the muscle wasting disease.

Mr McVeigh says the latest information is being provided for producers on the department's website.

"The industry gathering that I called on Friday of last week confirmed for me that we all need to ensure that the latest and greatest information is available and as much communication as is possible is being conducted with industry, with individual producers as well," he said.

Mr Lawson, who is also the former director of the defunct Australian Johne's Alliance, says producers should deal with it themselves, without government interference.

"I'm just over the moon that the Kirk family have gone public and I've advised them that they should get a private vet, blood test their bulls, take two samples, send them to two different labs," he said.

"Our experience is you'll get different results and they should be provided with the vaccine and allowed to get on with their business."

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